They can defend it all they want, but with Canada's economy struggling like it is, is now really the best time to be building a flashy, man made lake just to impress visitors?
With the G-8 and G-20 Summits just around the corner and Canada slated to play host, it seems politicians in Ottawa are anxious to make a positive impression on those who make the journey to our country, especially those who will return to their respective countries with stories to tell.
Earlier this month it was announced the federal government is funding a new Canadian pavilion in Toronto - in large part aimed to dazzle foreign journalists. It will include a fair size artificial lake surrounded by canoes and Muskoka chairs, giving reporters a taste of Muskoka's cottage country where the G8 summit is taking place. The price tag? A mere $2 million... What's money when it comes to showing our "friends" a good time?
"Canada is hosting the most important summits back to back that we've ever seen in the country, and we're using this opportunity to be able to showcase Canada," defends the country's Foreign Affairs Minister. "Because ultimately what we're looking for here is to find opportunities for people to come and invest in Canada after."
?Doesn't Canada have enough lakes and natural beauty to showcase as it is, without forking over $2 million during tough times to create something artificial? ??
?The idea behind the 22,000 square foot display that comes complete with a star filled sky, is to provide a back drop for international TV reporters as they cover the upcoming 72-hour event. And then the display gets torn down. Torn down?!? So essentially, we're footing the bill to wine and dine a bunch of visitors at a luxury "fake" location that the majority of Canadians won't even be able to catch a glimpse of. And the $2 million price tag isn't all, this comes in addition to the over $1 billion it's costing to host the summits. Wow.
I understand it's Canada's turn to do the hosting. I also get that it's important we make a good impression, it just seems to me this is all awfully exorbitant for a three day meeting of business people - who ironically - will be here to discuss in large part, world economic problems.
Canada should be judged on its own merits, friendliness and hospitality, not on a costly facade that will disappear before our departed guests get their suitcases unpacked.
